Frederich Froebel`s ``children`s garden`` of 1837 was modified when it came to the United States in 1873. The nation`s first kindergarten, in St. Louis, was established mainly as a social service to the poor. In the following years, with the Industrial Revolution in full gear, kindergarten programs spread to most urban areas.

Kindergarten enrollment increased sharply during the two world wars, mainly because mothers were pulled into the work force and needed day care. But public school programs have long been voluntary. Only this decade did kindergarten become required in four states, including Florida.

In 1967, there were only 135 public kindergarten classes -- not programs -- in 12 school districts across Florida, says Joanne Chancy, an early education supervisor for the Florida Deparment of Education. The following year, the legislature mandated that public schools must provide, but not require, kindergarten to anyone who wanted it, and about 700 more were added in 33 additional districts. In 1982, the lawmakers took it one step further, becoming the first state to make successful completion of kindergarten mandatory for entrance into first grade.

Kindergarten doesn`t come any cheaper than older grades.

Broward County Schools spend $2,730 per student on students in grades kindergarten through 3, compared to $2,676 in grades 4 to 8, and $3,196 on 9 to 12. Palm Beach County Schools spend $2,665 per child on elementary school students, $2,5531 on those in middle school, and $2,700 on high schoolers. These costs reflect everything: materials, instructional salaries, classroom space, etc. Both districts increased allocations to kindergarten programs this year, but mostly to spend for teacher raises and other increased costs.